Reorder Your Favorites

If Happy Canyon and Westerly have been off your radar, they won’t be after tasting the 2010 Westerly Happy Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, which garnered a 92 rating from Wine Enthusiast and 94 from our own tasting panel. Westerly has fashioned a truly beautiful, classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon. As a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, it may just be California’s answer to top notch Bordeaux. Black currant, plum, cassis...

If Happy Canyon and Westerly have been off your radar, they won’t be after tasting the 2010 Westerly Happy Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, which garnered a 92 rating from Wine Enthusiast and 94 from our own tasting panel. Westerly has fashioned a truly beautiful, classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon. As a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, it may just be California’s answer to top notch Bordeaux. Black currant, plum, cassis...

Luca’s 2012 Beso de Dante (meaning Dante’s Kiss) is named for Laura Catena’s second son Dante. It is a smooth, polished blend of Malbec (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) from high altitude vineyards that outshines many a classified Bordeaux in both flavor and finesse. The 2012 Luca Beso de Dante offers a brilliant deep ruby color, explosive aromatics and a mouthful of luscious flavors. Dark cherry, cassis, violet, tobacco and wood smoke...

Luca’s 2012 Beso de Dante (meaning Dante’s Kiss) is named for Laura Catena’s second son Dante. It is a smooth, polished blend of Malbec (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) from high altitude vineyards that outshines many a classified Bordeaux in both flavor and finesse. The 2012 Luca Beso de Dante offers a brilliant deep ruby color, explosive aromatics and a mouthful of luscious flavors. Dark cherry, cassis, violet, tobacco and wood smoke...

Born of the splendid 2014 vintage from 50-80 year old vines, the 2014 Domaine Renaud Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé epitomizes the elegance and charm for which Pouilly-Fuissé is renowned. Sporting an eye-catching, sun-splashed yellow robe, Reynaud’s Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé dazzles the eye even before it offers up its distinctive aroma of acacia flowers, ripe yellow peaches and plums, and pain grillé infused with clean...

Born of the splendid 2014 vintage from 50-80 year old vines, the 2014 Domaine Renaud Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé epitomizes the elegance and charm for which Pouilly-Fuissé is renowned. Sporting an eye-catching, sun-splashed yellow robe, Reynaud’s Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé dazzles the eye even before it offers up its distinctive aroma of acacia flowers, ripe yellow peaches and plums, and pain grillé infused with clean...

The 2012 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero ranks as another unequivocal success from Alejandro Fernandez and his incomparable 500-acre Condado de Haza. The deeply saturated 2012 Condado de Haza reflects the bold and brilliant winemaking style of Alejandro Fernandez. Not only is this Tempranillo deeply colored, it exhibits an amplifying nose of crushed blackberry, plum, bramble, currant, cedar, and more. It, also, possesses a rich, savory...

The 2012 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero ranks as another unequivocal success from Alejandro Fernandez and his incomparable 500-acre Condado de Haza. The deeply saturated 2012 Condado de Haza reflects the bold and brilliant winemaking style of Alejandro Fernandez. Not only is this Tempranillo deeply colored, it exhibits an amplifying nose of crushed blackberry, plum, bramble, currant, cedar, and more. It, also, possesses a rich, savory...

The 2012 Montaña Rioja Crianza from old vines comes across as classical Rioja Alta. A blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, Montaña’s Crianza could easily be mistaken for a Reserva. Having spent 12 months in seasoned French oak barrels (the minimum time in barrel for Rioja to qualify as Reserva), Montaña’s Crianza exudes the warmth and velvety characteristics of a traditional Rioja Reserva. Spice, new leather and deep blackberry fruit...

The 2012 Montaña Rioja Crianza from old vines comes across as classical Rioja Alta. A blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, Montaña’s Crianza could easily be mistaken for a Reserva. Having spent 12 months in seasoned French oak barrels (the minimum time in barrel for Rioja to qualify as Reserva), Montaña’s Crianza exudes the warmth and velvety characteristics of a traditional Rioja Reserva. Spice, new leather and deep blackberry fruit...

Angel Rodriguez continually fashions the quintessential Rueda Verdejo, which by all accounts is one of Spain’s most compelling white wines. And to no one’s surprise, the 2015 Martinsancho continues this iconic winemaker’s acumen with his beloved Verdejo. Farmed organically, the 2015 Martinsancho sports the wine’s usual sun-splashed robe and offers plenty of alluring aromatics, too. A light but amplifying bouquet of apricot, citrus, spring flowers, minerals, and liquid stones tantalize the nose. And as always, the purity and sensual appeal...

Angel Rodriguez continually fashions the quintessential Rueda Verdejo, which by all accounts is one of Spain’s most compelling white wines. And to no one’s surprise, the 2015 Martinsancho continues this iconic winemaker’s acumen with his beloved Verdejo. Farmed organically, the 2015 Martinsancho sports the wine’s usual sun-splashed robe and offers plenty of alluring aromatics, too. A light but amplifying bouquet of apricot, citrus, spring flowers, minerals, and liquid stones tantalize the nose. And as always, the purity and sensual appeal...

The deeply colored 2014 Centonze Nero d’Avola provides more than a glimpse of Sicily’s viticultural renaissance. More importantly, Centonze’s Nero d’Avola offers a clean, fleshy, full-bodied red wine with a hedonistic bent. Upon first opening, however, one could easily be fooled by this sleeping beauty, as the wine appears light and sleek and not quite as powerful as one would have expected. Give the 2014 Centonze Nero d’Avola a little time to...

The deeply colored 2014 Centonze Nero d’Avola provides more than a glimpse of Sicily’s viticultural renaissance. More importantly, Centonze’s Nero d’Avola offers a clean, fleshy, full-bodied red wine with a hedonistic bent. Upon first opening, however, one could easily be fooled by this sleeping beauty, as the wine appears light and sleek and not quite as powerful as one would have expected. Give the 2014 Centonze Nero d’Avola a little time to...

Although Soave bears the distinction of being the largest DOC in Italy for the production of white wine, only several dozen Soave producers fashion wines of superior character and quality. La Cappuccina is unquestionably one of those elite. The 2015 La Cappuccina Soave bears the beautiful golden robe of the noble Garganega grape, replete with the luster of the radiant Italian sun. An enticing aroma, resplendent with hints of acacia flowers...

Although Soave bears the distinction of being the largest DOC in Italy for the production of white wine, only several dozen Soave producers fashion wines of superior character and quality. La Cappuccina is unquestionably one of those elite. The 2015 La Cappuccina Soave bears the beautiful golden robe of the noble Garganega grape, replete with the luster of the radiant Italian sun. An enticing aroma, resplendent with hints of acacia flowers...

Vinyes del Terrer made its North American debut with the estate’s outstanding 2010 Terrer d’Aubert Tarragona Cabernet Sauvignon. For the record, the 2012 Terrer d’Aubert Tarragona Cabernet Sauvignon (this month’s feature) is every bit as delicious and engaging as the 2010. But don’t just take our word for it. The 2012 Terrer d’Aubert Cabernet Sauvignon earned 92 points and a rave review from Wine Spectator. A wonderful bouquet, redolent with the scents of woodland blackberry, cassis, and fennel foreshadow this Terrer d’Aubert Cabernet’s rich...

Vinyes del Terrer made its North American debut with the estate’s outstanding 2010 Terrer d’Aubert Tarragona Cabernet Sauvignon. For the record, the 2012 Terrer d’Aubert Tarragona Cabernet Sauvignon (this month’s feature) is every bit as delicious and engaging as the 2010. But don’t just take our word for it. The 2012 Terrer d’Aubert Cabernet Sauvignon earned 92 points and a rave review from Wine Spectator. A wonderful bouquet, redolent with the scents of woodland blackberry, cassis, and fennel foreshadow this Terrer d’Aubert Cabernet’s rich...

Luca’s barrel-fermented Burgundian-style 2013 G Lot Chardonnay hails from a deserted, rock-strewn vineyard in the Gualtallary district, an isolated patch of vineyard at the very top of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Like the finest vineyards in Burgundy and Champagne, Gualtallary enjoys a relatively cool climate and its soil is well-drained and rich in limestone, making it an ideal site for the cultivation of Chardonnay. The Gualtallary (hence the name...

Luca’s barrel-fermented Burgundian-style 2013 G Lot Chardonnay hails from a deserted, rock-strewn vineyard in the Gualtallary district, an isolated patch of vineyard at the very top of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Like the finest vineyards in Burgundy and Champagne, Gualtallary enjoys a relatively cool climate and its soil is well-drained and rich in limestone, making it an ideal site for the cultivation of Chardonnay. The Gualtallary (hence the name...

Krone’s 2015 Borealis Vintage Cuvée Brut is a real star. It shines and sparkles with Champagne flavor and style. Not only is Krone’s Borealis Vintage Brut comprised of Champagne’s traditional cépage of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), whereby only free run juice makes it into the cuvée, the Borealis Vintage Cuvée is totally bottle-fermented Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) in the time-honored Champagne tradition of production. The wine...

Krone’s 2015 Borealis Vintage Cuvée Brut is a real star. It shines and sparkles with Champagne flavor and style. Not only is Krone’s Borealis Vintage Brut comprised of Champagne’s traditional cépage of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), whereby only free run juice makes it into the cuvée, the Borealis Vintage Cuvée is totally bottle-fermented Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) in the time-honored Champagne tradition of production. The wine...

For centuries France dominated the production of world-class Pinot Noir. Burgundy and Champagne were the only games in town until California and Oregon got in the act, followed by Tasmania and others. Now, it is Chile’s turn. Casas del Bosque has fashioned a riveting Pinot in their 2015 Casas del Bosque Reserva Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley. Medium to full-bodied, this 2015 Pinot offers a savory nose along with plenty of juicy cherry and...

For centuries France dominated the production of world-class Pinot Noir. Burgundy and Champagne were the only games in town until California and Oregon got in the act, followed by Tasmania and others. Now, it is Chile’s turn. Casas del Bosque has fashioned a riveting Pinot in their 2015 Casas del Bosque Reserva Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley. Medium to full-bodied, this 2015 Pinot offers a savory nose along with plenty of juicy cherry and...

Zinfandel is California’s own special variety and there is no better place to find exceptional Zinfandel than in California’s Russian River Valley. The 2013 Cambridge Cellars Elsbree Vineyard Russian River Valley Zinfandel provides ample testimony to support that claim, as it is deeply colored, beautifully balanced, vibrant and rich in flavor. One hardly notices the wine’s 14.9% alcohol as it delivers up an enticing bouquet of blueberry and...

Zinfandel is California’s own special variety and there is no better place to find exceptional Zinfandel than in California’s Russian River Valley. The 2013 Cambridge Cellars Elsbree Vineyard Russian River Valley Zinfandel provides ample testimony to support that claim, as it is deeply colored, beautifully balanced, vibrant and rich in flavor. One hardly notices the wine’s 14.9% alcohol as it delivers up an enticing bouquet of blueberry and...